Many Health Clinics Underprepared to Meet Demand Under ACA

Fewer than half of community health clinics in Los Angeles are prepared to treat an influx of patients who obtained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act — a trend that could have statewide implications, according to a brief by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, the Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now” reports (Karlamangla, “L.A. Now,” Los Angeles Times, 5/21).

Background on Newly Insured

As of April 15, about 1.4 million California residents had enrolled in a plan through Covered California. Meanwhile, about 1.9 million residents enrolled in Medi-Cal as of March 31. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program (California Healthline, 5/20).

Role of Community Health Clinics

Under the ACA, community health clinics will be responsible for providing care to many low-income individuals, as well as those who are unable to obtain coverage through the law and remain uninsured, according to the brief.